ACTIVATE 2009
May 5~8, 2009
Dagohoy Elementary School , Bilar, Bohol
J-O-U-R-N-A-L
Day 1 (May 5, 2009) 
The registration started at 1:00 o’clock in the afternoon.
Upon arrival, campers directly registered at the registration area.
“Campers,” as how they are called, seemed to be very excited. Many arrived earlier so some adjustments were made in the program.
The program started with an orientation where campers were briefed on the importance and use of camp materials especially the things to know about the use of tents. Participant, as much as possible, must properly utilize camp materials to avoid damages. Materials must be preserved to make it available for use during the next camp.
They were also informed of the camp rules and policies to which they are bound for submission all throughout the whole duration of the camp.
Following the orientation were the clustering and tent assignments. There were six groups all in all.
At the first night, Kuya Roel led the campers in worship of the Lord. The gospel for the night was I Corinthians 13:13-And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
After the worship activity, leaders lighted the campfire. When it’s already time for bed, 
team leaders then led the night prayer. Lights Off.
Day 2 (May 6, 2009)
Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!
It is good that we start the day by seeking God first above all. The morning devotion was done per group. Counselors led their members.
The “devotional” discussed of the Bible Study 1 which topic is “Love Sends.” Meanwhile, whatever comes in comes out.
It’s stretching time! Kuya Roel led the warm up activity to stretch and exercise our bones and muscles. Ready, get set, g
o! go! go!
o! go! go!
It felt good to smell fresh air from that place surrounded by trees which make it a small forest. Right after that, some of the campers kept themselves busy with the preparation for breakfast while
others did their own routines.
others did their own routines.
Then the time came for the “name tags buying.” The activity was tagged very crucial because it symbolizes our belongingness to God.
Campers learned different types of clap and a new song, the camp theme song entitled “Faithful God”.
The song was sang and played repeatedly until such time they learned to sing it confidently.
Campers learned to trust God more during the “Trust Walk” activity.
It was an activity that tried to teach everyone to trust God in every circumstances and situations that occur in their lives.
Blindfolded, 
Campers followed the voices of the staffs who served as their guide on what directions to take.
Campers followed the voices of the staffs who served as their guide on what directions to take.
They listened carefully as the staff instructed them what to do that would lead them to the right path. Just as how Christ is leading us to the right direction.
Campers have experienced failures when they stumble. But still, they continued and pursued. They followed the voices they were hearing to wherever these voices are leading them.
When they got near the goal, some have also encountered a fall without knowing that somebody was there to catch them.
While struggling to get to the goal, staffs provided an improvised rain which made them feel a little bit relaxed. It built up their trust and also kept them moving!
After completing the first task, each group then chose one among four ropes that served to be there guide in finding the cross. Others have chosen the right place and found the cross while others have not. Yet, those who failed on the first try did not give up that easil
y..
y..
During the bible reflection, they discussed the Bible Study 2 with topic “Love saves.”
Here, they were made to reflect with their experience in the trust walk activity. Many cried as they reflected the activity and related it to the reality of their lives.
They realized that they have to trust God in whatever circumstances and trials they were made to encounter everyday.
“We don’t have to be afraid of failures, but we have to trust to the one who saves us…”
After lunch, they learned another song. The next activity was the obstacle course
The obstacle course was a game of sack race, wood steps, snake crawl, rope thwart or string hurdle and word puzzle.
Here, 
the campers were given instructions on how to move or pass to the next challenge after the other is done.
the campers were given instructions on how to move or pass to the next challenge after the other is done.
The activity was time pressured. It was designed to make each camper feel how to be pressured.
When the obstacle course was done, Bible reflection by group followed. They meditated and shared
with each other what God has told them in the obstacle course activity. Next, they were given the instruction to practice a commercial, drama, musical, comedy, news casting, or pantomime related to the prodigal son to be performed during the night activity.
“It’s a great thing to praise and worship our God, so it’s time to worship Him and hear His word through His servant. We’re so blessed! God met us once again through the power of His words.”
Time came to witness the Prodigal Son’s various presentations.
We’re really excited to be the top spectators. Through the commercial presentation, we were almost convinced to watch the movies “The Prodigal Son.”
We can’t help but cry with the drama. The musical was great too, “we exceedingly chase to sing what we say.”
From sunrise to sunset, God is worthy to be praised. So before bed time, everyone paused for a moment
of prayer. Then, lights off.
Day 3 (May 7, 2009)
Wake up call for all campers for the morning devotion by group.
Followed by an exercise activity to stretch some muscles and bones. After that, some started preparing for breakfast. Then everyone got ready for the day’s hiking.
During the hike, campers formed just one line. While trekking, some were cheering, others singing the camp song or memorizing Bible verses.
They enjoyed hiking but not more than they enjoy walking with Jesus. They may have known that walking with Jesus is the best journey a man could ever have.
Then campers reached the rappelling site.
“Rappelling or is a controlled descent down a rope. It is the process of descending a fixed rope in a standing position while facing the ground.”
Many were afraid to participate in
the activity especially girls. Those who tried rappelling wore safety gears for protection.
the activity especially girls. Those who tried rappelling wore safety gears for protection.
The others just had games (cotton flying) and drills (action song) while waiting for their turn.
After the three
batches finished rappelling, everyone took a lunch break.
batches finished rappelling, everyone took a lunch break.
Campers ate in places where they felt comfortable to eat. After eating, there’s an urgent call from God to some of the staffs (Donna, Ham-Ham, Ging-ging) to pray for the woman who is the owner of the house where some stayed to eat their lunch. They prayed for her as they have heard God asking them to. They found out later that the woman is suffering from heart and back pains a day before. She can’t walk well. Pain was obvious in her face. We introduced her to Jesus, the Savior.
That very moment, the woman received Jesus as her personal Savior. The group then started praying for her healing. We saw many arrows in here back, most of them are small but we saw one big, strong arrow in the center of her heart.
“We declared the power of God to work upon her life, one by one we get those small arrows in her back and by the power of God we successfully picked that big, strong arrow in her heart.”
“And we saw God’s glory in her face, she can jump now, she sings praises to God. She has her freedom. Praise the Lord! We were all amazed of what God has
done. Our purpose in coming here was only to try out the rappelling site, but God has a purpose why He led the rappel master to choose that place. Because God wants that woman to be free in bondage.”
done. Our purpose in coming here was only to try out the rappelling site, but God has a purpose why He led the rappel master to choose that place. Because God wants that woman to be free in bondage.”
“Praise be to God that each flock understands that their reflection in Bible Study 3 (Love Endures) is closely related to the rappelling activity- they will never fall, if we only trust God above all because God’s love endures forever.”
Back to the campsite, each flock was tasked to compose a rap song for the activity set that evening.
After dinner, Kuya Roel led the evening worship followed by the reading of the word of God by Pastor Dantes.
“There’s a youth r
evival that we experienced. Campers cried out to God, gave Him praise, worshiped God and expressed their love for Jesus. It seemed that they don’t want to stop worshipping Him.. Praise God for what He has done.”
evival that we experienced. Campers cried out to God, gave Him praise, worshiped God and expressed their love for Jesus. It seemed that they don’t want to stop worshipping Him.. Praise God for what He has done.”
The rap song contest finally took over the floor. We found out that there are talented campers really good in rapping. They could soon use this talent for the glory of God.
“One of these campers will soon lead our nation, lead our country. Some might be called to minister to a lot of people so they will come to know Jesus.”
“Praise God, it’s the third and the last night of the camp, God has done great 
and mighty things for us.”
and mighty things for us.”
“While singing the camp song, we felt God’s presence and while the campfire began, we saw God’s glory in us.”
After the campfire, prayer by flock followed and then lights off, lights off, lights off.
Day 4 (May 8, 2009)
Wake up campers! Let rise and shine before the Lord. Devotional by group was led by their respective counselors. The topic was about the Bible Study 4 (Love Moves).
This is the last day of the camp.
“Show your love by doing without murmuring.”
After breakfast and other preparations, campers returned borrowed kitchen utensils, cleaned the camp site and started packing.
Everyone also started exchanging numbers, email addresses and other means of contacts.
Then everyone was asked to fill out the letter for Jesus with complete address of the sender.
There was also the announcement and awarding of individual who have achieved and made significant contributions during the camp. Pictorials followed prior to testimonies.
“God is really good to make this camp successful. Thank you campers, may God bless you more.”
